NFL: Vick surprised with early recovery progress

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick (7) breaks a tackle by New York Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara (20) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

When Vick trotted out on the practice field Tuesday he wasn’t sure how hard he could push the right hamstring he pulled on a scramble late in the first half of the Eagles’ 36-21 victory over the New York Giants.

“I was very surprised to be able to go out and move around and throw the football and throw it with some velocity and move the way I was able to,” Vick said. “I was surprised. I’ve just got to keep working.”

While Vick obviously wasn’t working at full speed, he inspired teammates judging by their friendly comments.

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Away from the dais Vick hypothesized that being in good shape as a result of head coach Chip Kelly’s fitness program enabled him to be moving around so quickly after the injury.

Vick jogged around the field, threw to teammates during warm-ups and immersed himself in the mental repetitions for the game plan the Eagles will use Sunday against the winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“I feel a lot better than I did on Sunday,” Vick said. “Sunday, I’m still agonizing over. It was tough. It was hard to deal with.”

Whether Vick plays this weekend is another question. Right now he’s not certain he’s healthy enough.

“It’s too early to say,” Vick said. “You just don’t want to put yourself in a position where you can’t get back out there for two or three weeks. We’re playing it smart. Coach just told me to come out and do whatever I can. I came out and just got a feel for what I could do it. I know my body better probably better than anyone.”

Kelly hasn’t ruled Vick out but has declined to put a timetable on the veteran’s return. Kelly said Vick wouldn’t get back on the field if he felt it put the player at a disadvantage.

Eagles players mentioned the strengths of both quarterbacks without getting caught in the comparison game. Foles’ touchdown passes last week drew raves as he threw the ball on time to spots the receivers would be. Tight end Brent Celek caught a 25-yard scoring bomb. DeSean Jackson hauled in a five-yard touchdown pass.

“As a wide receiver, that’s what you really look for, so you can catch the ball and the defender’s not so close on you,” Jackson said. “(Foles) does a great job of that. He reads the defense. He knows his reads and where the ball has to go.

“He can get it done. He’s proven it.”

Offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur made it clear the quarterback decision hadn’t been made. Nick Foles, who dropped two touchdown passes on the Giants, was being prepped for the start and rookie quarterback Matt Barkley was getting some work with the first team.

Foles hasn’t changed the approach he maintained battling Vick for the starting job during training camp.

“Today was another opportunity to get better and I thought we did,” Foles said. “My expectation was to work great today, get a lot of work in, study the film and whatever it is on Sunday I’ll be ready.”

Foles has a history with the Bucs (0-4). He beat them in Florida last year on a last-second pass to Jeremy Maclin.

“I remember they’re a solid team,” Foles said. “It went down to the end. They’re hard-playing. Very athletic. Aggressive. I know we’re going to go into this and we’re really going to have be on our game. They’re coming off a bye week so we really have to have a great week and be sharp.”

One way or the other, Vick expects the Eagles to be sharp.

Entering the season Vick hoped to win the starting job and play in all 16 games. The hamstring has made the latter goal an issue.

“The thing I want to do for this football team is just be accountable,” Vick said. “It’s kind of disheartening when you can’t be out there and playing. But the thing is you’ve got a good backup who’ll be able to step in and do a great job with this team. And we’ve got a lot of people that believe in themselves and each other. So that will take us a long way.”